Water

Research

Jump to: Review

28 pages, 9615 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Landscape-Scale Mining and Water Management in a Hyper-Arid Catchment: The Cuajone Mine, Moquegua, Southern Peru

by Morag Hunter, D. H. Nimalika Perera, Eustace P. G. Barnes, Hugo V. Lepage, Elias Escobedo-Pacheco, Noorhayati Idros, David Arvidsson-Shukur, Peter J. Newton, Luis de los Santos Valladares, Patrick A. Byrne and Crispin H. W. Barnes

Water 2024, 16(5), 769; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16050769 - 4 Mar 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1483

Abstract

The expansion of copper mining on the hyper-arid pacific slope of Southern Peru has precipitated growing concern for scarce water resources in the region. Located in the headwaters of the Torata river, in the department of Moquegua, the Cuajone mine, owned by Southern [...] Read more.

The expansion of copper mining on the hyper-arid pacific slope of Southern Peru has precipitated growing concern for scarce water resources in the region. Located in the headwaters of the Torata river, in the department of Moquegua, the Cuajone mine, owned by Southern Copper, provides a unique opportunity in a little-studied region to examine the relative impact of the landscape-scale mining on water resources in the region. Principal component and cluster analyses of the water chemistry data from 16 sites, collected over three seasons during 2017 and 2018, show distinct statistical groupings indicating that, above the settlement of Torata, water geochemistry is a function of chemical weathering processes acting upon underlying geological units, and confirming that the Cuajone mine does not significantly affect water quality in the Torata river. Impact mitigation strategies that firstly divert channel flow around the mine and secondly divert mine waste to the Toquepala river and tailings dam at Quebrada Honda remove the direct effects on the water quality in the Torata river for the foreseeable future. In the study area, our results further suggest that water quality has been more significantly impacted by urban effluents and agricultural runoff than the Cuajone mine. The increase in total dissolved solids in the waters of the lower catchment reflects the cumulative addition of dissolved ions through chemical weathering of the underlying geological units, supplemented by rapid recharge of surface waters contaminated by residues associated with agricultural and urban runoff through the porous alluvial aquifer. Concentrations in some of the major ions exceeded internationally recommended maxima for agricultural use, especially in the coastal region. Occasionally, arsenic and manganese contamination also reached unsafe levels for domestic consumption. In the lower catchment, below the Cuajone mine, data and multivariate analyses point to urban effluents and agricultural runoff rather than weathering of exposed rock units, natural or otherwise, as the main cause of contamination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Climate and Socio-Economic on Irrigation Water Management and Agricultural Water Productivity)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

26 pages, 5510 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Participatory Analysis of Impacts of Agricultural Production Systems in a Watershed Depicting Southern Brazilian Agriculture

by Alexandre Troian, Mário Conill Gomes, Tales Tiecher, Marcos Botton Piccin, Danilo dos Santos Rheinheimer and José Miguel Reichert

Water 2024, 16(5), 716; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16050716 - 28 Feb 2024

Viewed by 651

Abstract

The objective of this study was to propose a multidimensional model capable of evaluating, in a participatory method, the pressures agricultural production systems cause to aquatic ecosystems. The model was structured with information compiled from scientific articles, doctoral theses, public documents, and field [...] Read more.

The objective of this study was to propose a multidimensional model capable of evaluating, in a participatory method, the pressures agricultural production systems cause to aquatic ecosystems. The model was structured with information compiled from scientific articles, doctoral theses, public documents, and field research performed with the participation of stakeholders through interviews, questionnaires, and group evaluations. The evaluation matrix combines seven criteria and twenty-five sub-criteria with different weights to evaluate two main aspects: (i) land occupation and soil management and (ii) agricultural waste production and disposal. The model was tested in 14 agricultural farms, representing four productive arrangements, in a large watershed (2400 km²) in southern Brazil. The geophysical characteristics of the site (18.3%), land use and occupation (28.2%), management practices (soil and water) (25.4%), manure and fertilizers (12.6%), pesticides (14.1%), agricultural waste and discards (1.4%) were the criteria and their respective weights used in the structure of the proposed evaluation model. The evaluation showed that the combination of the fragility of cultivated environments and the absence of conservation practices represented the greatest risks (72.9%) to maintaining the sound environmental conditions of aquatic ecosystems. For future research, it is recommended that a cost-effectiveness analysis be carried out to evaluate environmental conflicts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Climate and Socio-Economic on Irrigation Water Management and Agricultural Water Productivity)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 4859 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Runoff Decline Is Dominated by Human Activities

by Ping Miao, Dagula, Xiaojie Li, Shahid Naeem, Amit Kumar, Hongli Ma, Yenong Ding, Ruidong Wang and Jinkai Luan

Water 2023, 15(22), 4010; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15224010 - 18 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1212

Abstract

Investigations into runoff change and its influencing factors hold immense significance for promoting sustainable development, efficient water resource utilization, and the improvement of the ecological environment. To reduce methodological uncertainties, this study employed six attribution analysis methods, including two statistical approaches, a Budyko [...] Read more.

Investigations into runoff change and its influencing factors hold immense significance for promoting sustainable development, efficient water resource utilization, and the improvement of the ecological environment. To reduce methodological uncertainties, this study employed six attribution analysis methods, including two statistical approaches, a Budyko equation sensitivity coefficient method, and three hydrology models, to differentiate the contributions of climate change and human activities to the runoff change in the Xiliugou basin. The results indicated an abrupt change point in 2006, and the annual runoff series from 1960 to 2020 demonstrated a significant declining trend. All the six methods revealed that human activities were the major influencing factor. The average contribution rate of climate change was noted to be 24.2%, while that of human activities was 75.8% among the six methods used for this study. The prominent human activities in the Xiliugou basin revolve around soil and water conservation measures. The research findings hold great significance for the comprehensive understanding of runoff formation and its response to the changing environment in the Xiliugou basin. Additionally, these results can provide a foundation for decision-making for water resource management and ecological protection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Climate and Socio-Economic on Irrigation Water Management and Agricultural Water Productivity)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 4292 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A New Tool for Mapping Water Yield in Cold Alpine Regions

by Linlin Zhao, Rensheng Chen, Yong Yang, Guohua Liu and Xiqiang Wang

Water 2023, 15(16), 2920; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15162920 - 13 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1118

Abstract

Watershed management requires reliable information about hydrologic ecosystem services (HESs) to support decision-making. In cold alpine regions, the hydrology regime is largely affected by frozen ground and snow cover. However, existing special models of ecosystem services usually ignore cryosphere elements (such as frozen [...] Read more.

Watershed management requires reliable information about hydrologic ecosystem services (HESs) to support decision-making. In cold alpine regions, the hydrology regime is largely affected by frozen ground and snow cover. However, existing special models of ecosystem services usually ignore cryosphere elements (such as frozen ground and snow cover) when mapping water yield, which limits their application and promotion in cold alpine regions. By considering the effects of frozen ground and snow cover on water yield, a new version of the Seasonal Water Yield model (SWY) in the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) was presented and applied in the Three-River Headwaters Region (TRHR) in southeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). Our study found that incorporating the effects of frozen ground and snow cover improved model performance. Frozen ground acts as a low permeable layer, reducing water infiltration, while snow cover affects water yield through processes of melting and sublimation. Both of these factors can significantly impact the distribution of spatial and temporal quickflow and baseflow. The annual average baseflow and water yield of the TRHR would be overestimated by 13 mm (47.58 × 10⁸ m³/yr) and 14 mm (51.24 × 10⁸ m³/yr), respectively, if the effect of snow cover on them is not considered. Furthermore, if the effect of frozen ground on water yield were not accounted for, there would be an average of 6 mm of quickflow misestimated as baseflow each year. Our study emphasizes that the effects of frozen ground and snow cover on water yield cannot be ignored, particularly over extended temporal horizons and in the context of climate change. It is crucial to consider their impacts on water resources in cold alpine regions when making water-related decisions. Our study widens the application of the SWY and contributes to water-related decision-making in cold alpine regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Climate and Socio-Economic on Irrigation Water Management and Agricultural Water Productivity)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 1392 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Zeolite on Physiological Characteristics and Grain Quality in Rice under Alternate Wetting and Drying Irrigation

by Yidi Sun, Jigan Xie, Huijing Hou, Min Li, Yitong Wang and Xuetao Wang

Water 2023, 15(13), 2406; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15132406 - 29 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 924

Abstract

Background: Zeolite (Z) is gradually used in rice production due to its holding ability for water and nutrients, but limited information is available on how its physiological function affects rice grain yield and quality under water stress. Methods: This study aimed to investigate [...] Read more.

Background: Zeolite (Z) is gradually used in rice production due to its holding ability for water and nutrients, but limited information is available on how its physiological function affects rice grain yield and quality under water stress. Methods: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Z application on rice physiological characteristics, dry matter and nitrogen accumulation, grain yield and quality under continuous flooding (CF) and alternate wetting and drying irrigation (AWD). Results: The results showed that, compared with CF, AWD reduced leaf SPAD, root bleeding intensity, aboveground dry matter and nitrogen accumulation, resulted in lower grain yield without Z application, but improved root–shoot ratio and root N accumulation. Z application increased dry matter and N accumulation, and subsequent grain yield by improving leaf SPAD and root bleeding intensity. Both AWD and Z application improved water use efficiency. AWD reduced head rice rate, chalky rice rate and chalkiness, but improved the taste value by increasing the breakdown and reducing the setback. Z application improved protein content, reduced breakdown and setback, but increased chalky rice rate and chalkiness. Conclusions: These results indicated that AWD and Z application could achieve several benefits including improved grain yield, grain quality and water use efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Climate and Socio-Economic on Irrigation Water Management and Agricultural Water Productivity)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 2736 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identifying the Influencing Factors of Plastic Film Mulching on Improving the Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Potato in the Northwest China

by Juzhen Xu, Yanbo Wang, Yuanquan Chen, Wenqing He, Xiaojie Li and Jixiao Cui

Water 2023, 15(12), 2279; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15122279 - 18 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1346

Abstract

Potato is an important crop in the Northwest China, however, its production is constrained by water scarcity. Plastic mulching film is an efficient technical measure to alleviate potato production restrictions. Therefore, studying the response of potato yield and water use efficiency to plastic [...] Read more.

Potato is an important crop in the Northwest China, however, its production is constrained by water scarcity. Plastic mulching film is an efficient technical measure to alleviate potato production restrictions. Therefore, studying the response of potato yield and water use efficiency to plastic mulching film is of great significance. The study conducted a meta-analysis to quantify the effect of plastic film on potato yield and water use efficiency in the Northwest. The study then quantified the effects of different levels of natural conditions (mean annual precipitation, mean annual accumulated temperature ≥ 10 °C), fertilizer application (nitrogen fertilizer, phosphate fertilizer, potassium fertilizer), cultivation measures (planting density, cultivation method, mulching method), and mulching properties (mulching color, mulching thickness) through subgroups analysis. Finally, the random forest model was used to quantify the importance of factors. Plastic film mulching increased yield by 27.17% and water use efficiency by 27.16%, which had a better performance under relatively lower mean annual precipitation, low mean annual accumulated temperature ≥ 10 °C, relatively lower fertilizer application, planting density of 15,000–45,000 plants·ha⁻¹, ridge, and black mulching. Natural conditions, fertilization measures were vital to improve productivity. The research results can provide reference for agricultural management strategies of potato cultivation using plastic film in the Northwest China and other potato-producing areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Climate and Socio-Economic on Irrigation Water Management and Agricultural Water Productivity)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 1529 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Alternate Wetting and Drying as Water-Saving Technology: An Adoption Intention in the Perspective of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Suburban Rice Farmers in Thailand

by Suneeporn Suwanmaneepong, Kulachai Kultawanich, Lampan Khurnpoon, Phatchara Eamkijkarn Sabaijai, Harry Jay Cavite, Christopher Llones, Norden Lepcha and Chanhathai Kerdsriserm

Water 2023, 15(3), 402; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15030402 - 18 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3222

Abstract

The alternate wetting and drying (AWD) as water-saving technology aligns with the good agricultural practices (GAP) principles, particularly in the environmental management of water conservation. Thus, GAP adopters as farmer groups are seen as viable AWD adopters in the initial stages of scaling [...] Read more.

The alternate wetting and drying (AWD) as water-saving technology aligns with the good agricultural practices (GAP) principles, particularly in the environmental management of water conservation. Thus, GAP adopters as farmer groups are seen as viable AWD adopters in the initial stages of scaling out the adoption in Thailand. However, the understanding of integrating AWD as water-saving management among GAP adopters remains scant. Using the case of rice GAP farmers in Thailand, the study found a higher probability of adoption intention among GAP compared to non-GAP. AWD perceived advantage, knowledge, and the suitability of rice farms for AWD adoption trials are positively associated with higher adoption intention. While higher fixed cost lowers the probability of adoption, variable cost is positively associated with higher adoption intention in the short-run production decision. In order to scale out the adoption of AWD, farmers’ understanding of the safe and proper application of AWD, together with assistance for crop insurance in the case of crop failure, will be crucial. Risks connected with the adoption decision continue to be the biggest barrier to adoption, especially among small-scale farmers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Climate and Socio-Economic on Irrigation Water Management and Agricultural Water Productivity)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

20 pages, 5390 KiB

Open AccessReview

Research Progress and Application Analysis of the Returning Straw Decomposition Process Based on CiteSpace

by Yitong Wang, Qiujie Shan, Chuan Wang, Shaoyuan Feng and Yan Li

Water 2023, 15(19), 3426; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15193426 - 29 Sep 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1332

Abstract

Straw returning is an important measurement to determine the utilization of straw resources. Understanding the decomposition process and nutrient release process of straw is of great significance to the efficient utilization of straw resources and the sustainable development of the agricultural economy. In [...] Read more.

Straw returning is an important measurement to determine the utilization of straw resources. Understanding the decomposition process and nutrient release process of straw is of great significance to the efficient utilization of straw resources and the sustainable development of the agricultural economy. In this study, the literature published in the CNKI and WOS from 2002 to 2022 was used as the data pool, and a keyword co-occurrence network map was drawn with the CiteSpace (6.2.R4) software. Visual analyses were based on the straw returning literature (1998 articles) and straw decomposition agent literature (125 articles), and the decomposition and nutrient release of straw under the action of a decomposition agent were analyzed using a straw decomposition characterization experiment. In general, returning straw can effectively improve soil fertility conditions and provide nutrients for crop growth, and the use of a straw decomposition agent can further improve soil conditions and increase crop yield. The straw decomposition characterization experiment further showed that Pseudomonas could effectively increase the decomposition rate and increase the nutrient release rate of straw. According to the above results, determining how to improve the utilization efficiency of straw resources via decomposable bacteriological agents according to local conditions will become a research hotspot in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Climate and Socio-Economic on Irrigation Water Management and Agricultural Water Productivity)

► Show Figures